A project to upgrade the waste water treatment works at Castle Douglas has reached its first major milestone.

The main parts of the old treatment system are now retired and the first phase of the new treatment system now operational.

The £8million project aims to reduce odours from the site and will expand the capacity of the local waste water network. This will facilitate development in Castle Douglas by allowing more properties to be connected to the waste water system. Another benefit of the project is that the treatment process will be upgraded so the treated effluent conforms to strict guidelines laid down by environmental regulator SEPA.

Dominic Flanagan, project manager, said: “This is a good news story for the people of Castle Douglas, as the upgraded works will provide a more robust treatment process which will enhance the local environment. As part of the scope we will also be investing £1million in odour management to reduce odours from the site.

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“This project follows on from previous work carried out at the site to install storm water storage and a new transfer pipeline which takes treated waste water to a superior dilution point in the River Dee.

“This first phase of work involved constructing a new aeration plant and settlement tanks. The aeration plant mixes raw waste water and oxygen using specialist equipment to remove chemicals and biological matter. This partially treated waste water is then fed into settlement tanks, which help us remove solid matter from the waste water which is then turned into sludge and recycled."

They have also installed a new motor control centre with touch-screen technology, which gives automatic control of the process to ensure it is always operating at maximum efficiency.

Mr Flanagan added: “The next phase involves the demolition of the redundant plant, followed by the installation of two new sludge storage tanks, complete with an odour control unit.

“Scottish Water Solutions and delivery partners Carillion have been working carefully to ensure minimum disruption to local homes and businesses. In terms of landscaping, a landscape architect is working with the project team to establish a plan for the area and any landscaping plans will be agreed with the local planning office and follow the established process.”

(GK)